U.S. patent application number 11/538999 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-27 for banknote store.
Invention is credited to Didier Rossel, Christian Voser.
Application Number | 20070221776 11/538999 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35445715 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070221776 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rossel; Didier ; et
al. |
September 27, 2007 |
Banknote Store
Abstract
A method of controlling a banknote store comprising at least one
winding means and at least one elongate support means which can be
wound and/or unwound from the winding means for storing and/or
transporting a banknote, comprises determining the radius or
diameter of a spool comprising at least the winding means using the
degree of rotation of the winding means and the corresponding
linear amount of movement of the elongate support means.
Inventors: |
Rossel; Didier;
(Grand-Lancy, CH) ; Voser; Christian; (Vessy,
CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Family ID: |
35445715 |
Appl. No.: |
11/538999 |
Filed: |
October 5, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/528 ;
271/216 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 5/28 20130101; B65H
29/006 20130101; B65H 2701/1912 20130101; B65H 2301/4191 20130101;
B65H 2301/41912 20130101; B65H 2553/51 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/528 ;
271/216 |
International
Class: |
B65H 18/22 20060101
B65H018/22; B65H 29/66 20060101 B65H029/66 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 6, 2005 |
EP |
05256261.8 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling a banknote store comprising at least one
winding means and at least one elongate support means which can be
wound and/or unwound from the winding means for storing and/or
transporting a banknote, the method comprising determining the
radius or diameter of a spool comprising at least the winding means
using the degree of rotation of the winding means and the
corresponding linear amount of movement of the elongate support
means.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the spool comprises winding means
and wound support means, to determine the combined diameter or
radius of winding means and wound support means.
3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 comprising determining the
amount of linear movement by the support means when the winding
means rotates by a predetermined amount.
4. The method of claim 3 comprising using a linear motion sensor
for determining the amount of linear movement.
5. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 comprising determining the
degree of rotation of the winding means when the support means
translates by a predetermined amount.
6. The method of claim 5 comprising using an angular motion sensor
to determine the angular rotation.
7. The method of any preceding claim wherein the winding means is a
storage drum for storing banknotes.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the spool further comprises
banknotes stored on the storage drum, to determine the combined
diameter or radius of winding means, wound support means and
banknotes.
9. The method of any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the winding means is
a reel for supplying and/or removing the support means.
10. The method of any preceding claim comprising using a stepper
motor to rotate the winding means.
11. The method of any preceding claim comprising using indicia on
the support means or a guide roller for the support means and means
for sensing said indicia for determining the amount of movement of
the support means.
12. The method of any preceding claim wherein the banknote store
comprises first and second winding means mount for rotation about
respective axes on first and second shafts, and wherein the
elongate support means can be unwound from one of the winding means
onto the other of the winding means, and vice versa, such that
banknotes can be supported in succession by the support member
while that is wound around at least one of the winding means.
13. The method of any preceding claim wherein the banknote store
comprises at least first and second winding means, the method
comprising determining the combined diameters/radii of the at least
first and second winding means.
14. The method of any preceding claim comprising comparing the
diameter/radius or combined diameters/radii with a threshold.
15. The method of any preceding claim comprising deciding on
storage of further banknotes in the store depending on the
determined radius/diameter or radii/diameters.
16. The method of any preceding claim comprising determining the
beginning/end of the support means using the determined
radius/diameter or radii/diameters.
17. The method of any preceding claim using the formula l=r.theta.
where l is amount of linear movement, r is radius and .theta. is
amount of angular rotation.
18. The method of any preceding claim comprising transferring said
support means from first winding means to second winding means to
initialise the banknote store.
19. A method of controlling a banknote store comprising at least
one winding means and at least one elongate support means which can
be would and/or unwound from the winding means for storing and/or
transporting a banknote, the method comprising monitoring the
radius or diameter of the spool and comparing the radius or
diameter with a threshold.
20. The method of claim 19 for determining the end of support means
or a preferred maximum or minimum capacity of the store.
21. The method of claim 19 or claim 20 comprising controlling
addition or removal of banknotes based on the determined radius or
diameter
22. A method of monitoring a banknote store comprising at least one
winding means and at least one elongate support means which can be
would and/or unwound from the winding means for storing and/or
transporting a banknote, the method comprising determining and
comparing the diameter of the banknote store at different
times.
23. The method of claim 22 comprising determining and comparing the
diameter of the banknote store when the store is powered down and
powered up.
24. The method of claim 22 or claim 23 for determining if banknotes
have been removed from the store.
25. The method of claim 24 comprising outputting a signal if one or
more notes have been removed.
26. The method of any of claims 22 to 25 comprising comparing the
difference between the diameters with a threshold.
27. A method of estimating the capacity of a banknote store
comprising at least one winding means and at least one elongate
support means which can be would and/or unwound from the winding
means for storing and/or transporting a banknote, the method
comprising using radius or diameter measurements.
28. The method of claim 27 comprising estimating the remaining
capacity of a banknote store based on the radius or diameter of the
store.
29. The method of claim 28 comprising determining whether to use
the store as an escrow based on the remaining capacity.
30. The method of any of claims 19 to 29 using the method of any of
claims 1 to 18.
31. A banknote store comprising at least one winding means and at
least one elongate support means which can be wound and/or unwound
from the winding means for storing and/or transporting a banknote,
comprising means for controlling the banknote store using the
method of any preceding claim.
32. The banknote store of claim 31 wherein the winding means is a
storage drum for storing banknotes.
33. The banknote store of claim 31 or claim 32 wherein the winding
means is a reel for supplying and/or removing the support
means.
34. The banknote store of any of claims 31-33 comprising a stepper
motor to rotate the winding means.
35. The banknote store of any of claims 31-34 comprising indicia on
the support means and means for sensing said indicia for
determining the amount movement of the support means.
36. The banknote store of claim 35 wherein said indicia are
marks.
37. The banknote store of any of claims 31-36 comprising first and
second winding means mount for rotation about respective axes on
first and second shafts, wherein the elongate support means can be
unwound from one of the winding means onto the other of the winding
means, and vice versa, such that banknotes can be supported in
succession by the support member while that is wound around at
least one of the winding means.
38. The banknote store of any of claims 31-37 comprising an angular
motion sensor to determine the angular rotation.
39. The banknote store of any of claims 31-38 comprising a linear
motion sensor for determining the amount of linear movement.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to the storage of banknotes or other
sheets of value, which are herein referred to simply as
banknotes.
[0002] It is known hereto to provide a banknote store comprising
first and second drums with a strip wound onto both drums and
arranged to support banknotes disposed in succession between
windings of the strip on the first drum. The strip is wound from
the first drum to the second drum to expose successive supported
banknotes for removal and is wound from the second drum to the
first drum to enable banknotes to be deposited successively on the
first drum. The second drum is driven to rotate to wind the strip
from the first to the second drum while the first drum may be
driven to follow the second drum. In the opposite direction, the
first drum is driven to rotate to wind the strip from the second to
the first drum while the second drum may be driven to follow the
first drum. It is known for the first and the second drums to be
fixed for rotation relative to respective shafts which are
themselves driven by one or more motors.
[0003] When the strip is wound from one to the other drum, it
important for the strip to be held firmly between the two drums at
all times. As banknotes are stored in discrete locations relative
to the strip, movement of the strip would mean that the control
arrangement of the banknote store would not be able to locate the
exact position of individual banknotes.
[0004] During operation, as the number of windings decreases on one
drum, the length of strip unwound therefrom also decreases,
provided the rotational speed of the drum remains constant. The
same is true in reverse. That is, as the number of windings on the
other drum increases, the length of strip being wound onto the
other drum increases, again, provided the rotational speed of the
drum remains constant. This is because the length of strip wound
onto or unwound from a drum is dependent on the circumference of
the outer winding on the drum. In the prior art, the strip may be
held firmly between the drums, by winding the strip onto one drum
by rotating that drum, whilst providing some resistance to rotation
of the other drum, from which the strip is being unwound. This
arrangement enables the strip to be held firmly only when the drums
are rotating but may not when the drums are stationary.
[0005] In an alternative prior art arrangement, the drums are
rotated at varying speeds. In this way, as the strip is unwound
from one drum, the drum may be rotated gradually more quickly,
because the length of strip being unwound from it per revolution
gradually decreases. The reverse is true for the other drum, which
may be rotated gradually more slowly as the length of strip being
wound onto it per revolution gradually increases. The continuous
adjustment of the rotational speeds of the drums requires
relatively complicated and expensive arrangements and control of
the motor or motors driving the shafts.
[0006] It is known that as the diameter of the banknote store
increases, the stability of the store decreases, and it may
interfere with other components of the apparatus. In the prior art,
this problem was solved by limiting the number of banknotes that
could be stored.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,753 discloses a method directed to this
problem which involves a belt tightening operation to increase the
storage capacity. One feature of the method is determination of the
radius of a spool on a driven reel, which is used to ensure that
the storage belt has the same speed at all times. The radius is
determined as the ratio of velocity of the belt from a belt speed
measuring sensor and the angular velocity from a stepping motor for
the driven reel.
[0008] Aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying
claims.
[0009] As a result of aspects of the invention, it is possible to
determine the diameter of the wound spools to ensure that banknotes
are properly positioned on the tape and that the diameter of the
wound tape does not get too large (including the banknote
thicknesses) and interfere with other components or jam. It is also
possible to sense the end of the tape. It is also possible to
monitor a banknote store, for example, for theft. It is also
possible to estimate the remaining capacity of the store.
[0010] In order that the present invention may be well understood,
an embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a general side view of a set of four banknote
stores;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the principle of
operation of a banknote store of an embodiment of the
invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a slightly modified version of one of the
banknote stores of FIG. 1; and
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of modified strips of a
banknote store.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, four banknote stores 10, 12, 14, 16 are
shown. Such banknote stores may make up component features of a
banknote receiving and dispensing machine. Since the stores are
very similar, specific reference herein will be made only to store
10.
[0016] Store 10 comprises a first, or storage, winding means and
two second, or supply, winding means. The first winding means may
take the form of a storage drum 18 and the second winding means may
take the form of supply drums 20, 22. Other types of winding means
may be used as appropriate. The storage drum has wound around it a
pair of strips 24, 26 which extend away from the storage drum to
rollers 28, 30. The strips then separate, with one strip extending
around roller 28 to supply drum 20, and the other strip 26
extending around roller 30 to supply drum 22. Between roller 28 and
supply drum 20, strip 24 is guided by additional rollers 32. The
strips have marks spaced at regular intervals on one or both sides
for indicating distance. The strips are one example of elongate
support members but other examples may be used instead.
[0017] If the storage drum 18 and the supply drums 20, 22 rotate in
the directions indicated by the arrows A, the strips 24, 26 are
unwound from the storage drum and onto respective supply drums 20,
22. The storage drum 18 and the supply drums 20, 22 can
alternatively rotate in the opposite directions so that the strips
are unwound from the supply drums onto the storage drum.
[0018] Banknotes (60, see FIG. 2) can be fed between the strips 24,
26 as they come together at rollers 28, 30, when the strips are
being wound onto the storage drum 18. Thus, individual banknotes
can be stored in a spiral arrangement on the storage drum, in
successive positions between strips 24, 26. In the view shown in
FIG. 1, an endless belt or strip 34 and series of rollers 36 can be
used to guide the banknote from one position relative to the
banknote store 10 to be taken up between strips 24, 26. Thus,
assuming that the strips 24, 26 are being unwound from the storage
drum (drums rotated in direction A), any banknotes held thereby
will be delivered to belt 34 to be guided to an appropriate
position, for instance in a banknote receiving and dispensing
machine. Conversely, a banknote introduced to such a machine may be
guided to a position between rollers 28, 30 whilst strips 24, 26
are being wound onto storage drum 18 (drums rotated in opposite
direction to A). The banknote becomes gripped between the strips
24, 26 as they converge at rollers 28, 30, the banknote then being
transported to the storage drum.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, a motor 38 is used for driving, via a
gear 40, the shafts of the rollers 28 and 30 to transport the
strips 24, 26 at a constant speed in either of two opposite
directions.
[0020] Gears 44, 46 and 50 are coupled to shafts 51 (see FIG. 1) of
storage drum 18 and supply drums 22 and 20, respectively, as shown
schematically by lines 52 in FIG. 2. These gears interengage such
that they rotate together, in this case by interengaging storage
drum gear 44 with first supply drum gear 46, and first supply drum
gear 46 with second supply drum gear 50 via an idler gear 48. (In
FIG. 2, the arrangement differs slightly from FIG. 1, in that the
supply drums rotate in the same direction, so the idler gear 48 is
provided between gears 46 and 50 to achieve this.)
[0021] Biasing means in the form of spiral or torsional springs 54,
56, 58 connect the shafts to the respective gears 44, 46, 50. The
springs allow biased relative rotational movement between each drum
and its gear. In this way, strips 24, 26 wound around the drums can
be held tightly at all times. The springs are biased in directions
which tend to cause winding of the strips onto the respective
drums, which also keeps the strips under tension. The use of
springs or other biasing means provides a relatively compact and
low cost solution. A similar effect can be achieved by
alternatively providing the springs between the shafts and the
drums, in which case, if the shafts extend through the drums the
springs may be provided between the shafts and a radially inwardly
facing surface of the respective drum.
[0022] Angular rotation sensors 19, 21, and 23 are connected to the
shafts 18, and 22 of the storage drum 18 and the supply drums 20,
22 respectively. Linear motion sensors in the form of sensors which
sense marks on the strips 24, 26 are arranged alongside the paths
of the strips 24, 26 facing the marks on the strips respectively.
In this embodiment, the linear motion sensors include LEDs and
light sensors which sense light reflected from the strips, thereby
sensing the marks according to the corresponding variation in
reflected light. Other types of arrangement for sensing marks on
strips may be used. Indeed other ways of determining linear motion
may be used such as magnetic sensors. In a preferred embodiment, a
coding wheel is attached to a roller, such as one of the guide
rollers 36, and associated with a sensor for sensing marks on the
coding wheel. The rotation of the coding wheel can then be used to
determine the linear translation of the belt. The angular rotation
sensors and linear motion sensors are connected to a control device
(not shown).
[0023] A practical arrangement is shown in FIG. 3, in which like
reference numbers represent like integers. The store of FIG. 3 is
similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 2 except for a re-arrangement of
the relative positions of the drums, rollers and gears, and the
angular rotation sensors 19, 21, 23 and the linear motion sensors
25, 27 of FIG. 2 are not shown. In this case, the gear 44 for the
drum 18 engages each of the gears 46 and 50 for the supply drums 22
and 20, respectively.
[0024] The banknote store operates as follows.
[0025] The rollers 28 and 30 are driven at a constant speed, which
determines the speed at which the strips 24, 26 travel. The
peripheral speeds of the drums will match the speed at which the
tape is fed to or from the drums. Generally speaking, this means
that the drums will rotate at a different speed from their
associated gears, whose relative speeds will be governed by the
gear ratios. This is permitted by the contraction and expansion of
the respective springs 54, 56 and 58.
[0026] In the preferred embodiment, the gear ratios are set so
that, for each drum, when the drum is halfway between its empty and
full state, the rotational speed of the driving gear matches the
rotational speed of the drum, as determined by the speed of
movement of the strips 24, 26. Appropriate gear ratios can be
determined from the diameters of the half-wound drums.
[0027] In such an arrangement, the spring for each drum has its
minimum tension when the drum is half full, although this tension
is still significant because the spring is pre-loaded during
assembly.
[0028] If the drum is less than half full, the periphery will be
relatively small so that the drum should rotate faster than the
gear. Thus, if the strip is being unwound, the speed of the strip
rotates the drum relative to its associated gear, resulting in
tensioning of the spring. On the other hand, if the strip is being
wound on to the drum, the relatively fast feeding of the strip to
the drum means that the spring is allowed to relax, causing an
increased peripheral speed of the drum.
[0029] Conversely, if the drum is more than half full, the diameter
of the drum including the strip wound thereon will be relatively
large, and therefore the drum should rotate relatively slowly. The
tension in the strip will slow down the drum relative to the
driving gear, causing the spring to become gradually tighter, if
the strip is being wound on the drum. If it is being unwound, the
spring is able to relax, as the drum rotates relative to its
associated gear, resulting in the drum rotating slower than the
gear.
[0030] The result is that, for each drum, as the drum rotates to
permit the strip to be unwound from the full state to the empty
state, the tension in the spring first decreases to a minimum and
then increases again. Similarly, when winding the strip on to the
drum, the tension in the spring decreases to a minimum before
rising again.
[0031] This arrangement has significant benefits. First, it means
that the range of tension in each spring is relatively small, thus
making it easier to select a suitable spring and to manufacture the
assembly, and reducing the range of tensions applied to the strips.
Second, the changes in tension within the springs for the supply
drums 20, 22 occur at substantially the same time as corresponding
changes in tension in the spring for the main drum 18. This
balances the tension on both sides of the roller 28, thus reducing
the risks of the strips 24, 26 slipping. Preferably, the assembly
is designed so that the tensions produced by the springs change in
synchronism in a balanced manner even though this may mean that the
minimum tension does not necessarily occur when the respective drum
is exactly half full.
[0032] The linear motion sensors and the angular rotation sensors
are used to determine the diameter or radius of one or more of the
storage drum 18 and supply drums 20, 22. The following will refer
to the diameter of the drums, but it is to be understood that the
same applies to radius (diameter=twice radius). In the case of the
supply drums, the calculated diameter is of the spool including the
known diameter of the shaft, together with the strips wound around
the shaft at the time. At the end of the strip, the calculated
diameter may be of the shaft alone. Similarly, the diameter of the
storage drum may be of the shaft alone, or the shaft together with
wound strips, or the shaft together with wound strips and banknotes
stored on the storage drum.
[0033] The following procedure refers to supply drum 20, but the
same procedure may be applied to any of supply drums 20, 22 and
storage drums.
[0034] Between first and second known times, the amount of rotation
of supply drum 20 is detected by angular rotation sensor 21 and the
corresponding amount of linear movement of belt 24 is detected by
linear motion sensor 25. The detected rotation amount .theta. and
the linear movement amount l are processed in the control
device.
[0035] More specifically, the corresponding diameter d of the
supply drum is calculated using the equation: l=r.theta., where
2r=d and .theta. is measured in radians
[0036] In other words, d=2l/.theta..
[0037] This diameter measurement may be used as an approximation
irrespective of whether the drum is winding the strips on or off
the drum.
[0038] In the case of winding the strip onto the supply drum, the
diameter measurement should be a good approximation of the wound
supply drum. In the case of unwinding the strip from the supply
drum, it may be appropriate to subtract the thickness of the strip
from the diameter measurement to get a more accurate calculation of
the diameter of the supply drum after the unwinding.
[0039] Similarly, in the case of the storage drum, the diameter
measurement as calculated above should give a good approximation of
the storage drum after the strips and possibly banknotes are wound
on. On the other hand, the diameter calculation may take into
account the thickness of the strips and possibly also banknotes
wound off the storage drum for a more accurate measurement.
[0040] In an alternative arrangement, a drum is moved by a
predetermined amount and the corresponding amount of linear
movement of the corresponding strip is measured. The resulting
measurements for .theta. and 1 are then used to calculate the
corresponding diameter of the drum as described above.
[0041] For example, the stepper motor 38 moves a drum by a
predetermined amount, such as 1/12.sup.th of a full rotation, and
the corresponding amount of movement of the corresponding strip is
measured using the corresponding linear sensor.
[0042] Similarly, in another alternative arrangement, a strip is
moved by a predetermined amount, and the corresponding amount of
rotation by a drum required is measured. The resulting measurements
for .theta. and l are then used to calculate the corresponding
diameter of the drum as described above.
[0043] For example, the tape is moved by a fixed amount, such as
the fixed amount required to store a new bill on the storage drum
18, and the amount of rotation required to achieve this is
measured.
[0044] The resulting diameters derived as set out above may be used
in various ways. The uses may alternatively involve other methods
of measuring diameters, but the method described above is
preferred.
[0045] For example, one or more diameters may be compared with one
or more thresholds. Two or more diameters may be combined, and
similarly compared with one or more thresholds.
[0046] For example, in the case of the storage drum 18, the
diameter of the drum 18 may be compared with a threshold so that no
more banknotes are stored when the diameter reaches a certain
level. This can prevent jamming which might otherwise occur when
the diameters becomes too large.
[0047] The minimum diameters of the drums are determined by the
diameter of the respective shafts. Thus, thresholds based on the
minimum diameters may be used to indicate the end of the
strips.
[0048] Especially in the case of a supply drum, the maximum
diameter is determined by the length of the tape. Thus, thresholds
based on the maximum diameter may also be used to indicate the end
of the tape.
[0049] This means that a separate sensor for detecting the end of
the strips is not required.
[0050] It is possible that there may be a condition in the
apparatus whereby two or more drums in the apparatus may interfere
with each other, for example, depending on banknote storage and
banknote thickness. To avoid such a situation, it might be
necessary, for example, to space the drums sufficiently far apart
so that, whatever the thickness of banknotes stored on the drum and
however many banknotes are stored, the drums cannot interfere with
other, or, for example, to put a predetermined limit on the number
of banknotes stored. As a result, the banknote store might be large
or limited in the number of banknotes that can be stored. To
overcome these problems, using an embodiment of the invention, a
combination of diameters of two or more drums in the apparatus may
be used and compared with thresholds, for example, preventing
additional storage of banknotes if the combination exceeds a
threshold. As a result, the drums can be placed relatively close to
each other, reducing the size of the banknote store, and provide
dynamic control of storage.
[0051] Diameter measurements may be used, for example, to detect
theft of banknotes from a store. In an embodiment of the invention,
the diameter of the store is measured at a first time, such as when
the apparatus containing the store is powered down, and then the
diameter of the store is measured again when the apparatus is
powered up. The two diameters are then compared, for example, by
comparing the difference with a threshold. If the comparison
indicates that the diameters are difference, or different by more
than a given amount, then this may indicate that one or more
banknotes have been removed while the apparatus was powered down.
The diameter measurements may form part of the powering down/up
routines, for example, by moving the strip or the drum by a
corresponding amount and determining the corresponding movement of
the drum or strip.
[0052] Diameter measurements may also be used, for example, to
estimate the remaining capacity of the store. This is especially
useful if the store is used as an escrow (temporary store for
banknotes inserted in a transaction, which may subsequently be
returned to the user, or retained in a store). For example, if the
current diameter of the store and the total length of the belt are
known, then the approximate remaining capacity, or turns on the
store, can be calculated. This can be combined with known
information about approximate lengths of banknotes to estimate the
remaining capacity, or the number of further banknotes that can be
stored.
[0053] In operation, the banknote store may be initialised after
manufacture by running the strips 24, 26 from one drum to another,
such as from the storage drum to the supply drums. This could be
used to determine the length of the tape, using the linear sensors
25, 27, and to get the tape to the start position. The end of the
tapes may be identified as discussed above.
[0054] The above techniques may be applied to other winding means
similar as storage and supply drums, and may be used in other types
of banknote stores.
[0055] The above techniques may be also be applied using angular
velocity or angular acceleration sensors, and linear velocity or
linear acceleration sensors etc, from which corresponding angular
rotation .theta. and linear movement l can be calculated by
integration. However, this is less desirable because such sensors
require more space and cost more, and also addition processing is
required.
[0056] Alternatives to the above arrangement are possible. For
example, the gear ratios could be selected so that the speed of
rotation of the drum matches that of the associated gear when the
drum is fully wound (or fully unwound), in which case the tension
in the spring will monotonically change as the drum is fully
unwound (or wound).
[0057] One advantage of the above-described arrangement is that the
speed of movement of the strips 24, 26 remains constant throughout
the operation, so that the operation of the storage apparatus can
be synchronised to the rest of the host machine in which it is
installed, and, if desired, the same motor can be used to drive
both the storage apparatus and other parts of the machine. If
desired, additional means may be provided to maintain this
constant, predictable speed of movement, by avoiding slippage at
the rollers 28, 30 or by detecting such slippage and taking
corrective action.
[0058] Although FIG. 2 shows springs associated with the storage
drum 18 and the supply drums 20, 22, it would be possible to use
springs associated with the supply drums only or the storage drum
only, although in such arrangements a constant speed of movement of
the strips 24, 26 may be more difficult to achieve. Where springs
are associated with only the supply drums they would need to be
sufficiently expansive to compensate for the change in speed of
both the supply drums and the storage drum. It would be possible to
associate a single spring with the storage drum only, if the supply
drums behaved symmetrically with each other (for example, if
coupled using a differential gear). Otherwise, the strips would be
wound onto and unwound from the supply drums unevenly.
[0059] Reference has been made to spiral or torsional springs but
other types of biasing means could be used, as required. The
purpose of the springs is to allow relative rotational movement
between the drums and their respective gears or coupling means
whilst biasing the drums in a direction to cause the strips to be
held tightly.
[0060] In FIGS. 1 and 2, two strips 24, 26 are used but it would be
possible to use a single strip which would be wound around a
storage drum and a single supply drum. Banknotes would then be
stored between windings on the storage drum rather than between
separate strips on the storage drum as shown. Where a single strip
is used, it would be possible to incorporate biasing means with
either the storage drum, supply drum or preferably both.
[0061] In a modification of the illustrated embodiment shown in
FIG. 4, strips 24, 26 do not overlap. Two strips 24 are wound
around the storage drum and a first supply drum. The other strip 26
is wound around the storage drum and a second supply drum. When the
strips 24, 24, 26 are wound around the storage drum, they do not
overlap. The banknote 60 is supported between the strips, with
strips 24, 24 on one side thereof and strip 26 on the other side
thereof. This has the advantage that two windings of the modified
strips have approximately the same radial thickness as a single
winding of strips 24, 26 as illustrated in FIG. 4. With the reduced
thickness, the amount of extension and retraction required to be
performed by the biasing means is reduced, since the maximum change
in thickness during operation of the storage drum for a given
number of banknotes is less. This achieves a more compact design or
alternatively means that more banknotes can be stored on a drum of
the same approximate size, the governing factor being concerned
more with the thickness of the banknotes and less so with the
thickness of the strips.
[0062] The arrangements described above could be modified by
supplying a positive driving force to the various drums, for
example using a gear 42 shown in broken lines in FIG. 2 to transmit
the rotation produced by the motor 38 to the gears 44, 46 and 50.
Alternatively, a separate motor could be provided. However, it is
preferred that the speeds of rotation of the drums be controlled by
the rate at which the support strips 24, 26 are fed.
[0063] Instead of the gears shown schematically in FIG. 2, other
arrangements, such as belts, could be used for coupling together
the shafts of the various drums.
[0064] Instead of storing the banknotes on one drum only, the
arrangement could enable transferring of banknotes from one drum to
another.
[0065] In the specification, of course the radius can be used
instead of the diameter, or derivations from the radius or
diameter, with due alterations in detail, and the term diameter in
the claims is intended to cover all such modifications.
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